Unit for preparing beverages from soluble products

ABSTRACT

The description concerns a unit for the preparation of a drink from a soluble mix contained in a disposable capsule, of the type comprising a collecting device with housing designed to contain the capsule, in which at least one choking arrangement is provided to ensure laminar flow of the drink as it comes out of the capsule.

This application is the US national phase of international applicationPCT/IT01/00147 filed 23 Mar. 2001, which designated the US.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns the preparation of beverages and inparticular a unit for the preparation of beverages from soluble productscontained in disposable cartridges.

BACKGROUND ART

In known types of machines, the units for preparation and delivery ofthe beverage generally comprise a collecting device with a seat forreceiving the disposable cartridge. Once the cartridge has been insertedin the collecting device seat, pressurised water is introduced into thecartridge, via an inlet port, to form a beverage consisting of asolution or a dispersion in water of the soluble product which isdelivered via an outlet port on the cartridge.

As the disposable cartridges are originally sealed to prevent outflow ofthe soluble product during handling, the collecting device is generallyprovided with a piercing member which opens one or more outlet ports ona wall of the cartridge, for example on the bottom of it, along a numberof pre-formed breaking lines.

In known types of machines, the particular shape of the cartridgepromotes the formation of a turbulent flow inside the cartridge, thuspermitting mixing of the soluble product in the water. The beverage thusformed is released via the outlet ports defined by the above-mentionedbreaking lines and/or by outlet ports in the piercing member.

A unit for the preparation of beverages of this type has a number ofdisadvantages. It has been observed that the turbulence mixing whichtakes place in the cartridge is not equally efficient and complete fordifferent granulometries of soluble products, for example solubleproducts for coffee, cappuccino, tea and the like.

In fact, the outlet ports that form on the bottom of the cartridge dueto the piercing are too large and can cause the delivery ofnon-dissolved product and clots of it from the cartridge, for example atthe beginning of delivery.

The outflow of particles of non-dissolved soluble product not onlylowers the quality of the beverage produced but can cause partial ortotal obstruction of the beverage outlet ports due to deposit of saidparticles on the walls of the outlet ports or channels downstream of theoutlet ports with respect to the dispersion flow.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to propose a unit for thepreparation of beverages that solves the problems of the knowntechnique.

In the context of this object, one object of the present invention is topropose a unit for the preparation of beverages which is particularlyeffective in dissolving the soluble product regardless of itsgranulometry.

Another object of the present invention is to propose a unit for thepreparation of beverages able to prevent outflow from the cartridge ofparticles of non-dissolved product.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a unit for thepreparation of beverages that combines an improved delivery system witha cartridge opening system.

These objects are achieved by the present invention which concerns aunit for the preparation of a beverage from a soluble product, of thetype comprising a collecting device with a seat designed to receive adisposable cartridge containing the soluble product, the cartridgecomprising at least one inlet port for a suspension fluid introducedinto the cartridge and at least one outlet port for delivery of thebeverage consisting of the soluble product and the suspension fluid,characterised in that it comprises at least one throttling arrangementto give the beverage a laminar flow as it is released from thecartridge.

This allows efficient mixing of the soluble product with the waterduring delivery of the beverage. In fact, along the throttlingarrangement, i.e. a particularly narrow passage for the beverage as itflows out, the particles of soluble product are forced into solution andany clots are fragmented before delivery, thus releasing furtherparticles of soluble product which will dissolve more easily.

A throttling arrangement according to a possible embodiment of theinvention can be provided between the piercing member in the collectingdevice and the outlet port of the beverage from the cartridge, providingin particular a piercing member with a portion engaging the cartridgehaving shape and dimensions substantially equal to those of thecartridge outlet port.

The engaging portion of the piercing member can have, for example, asubstantially cylindrical shape with circular section and the breakingline in the cartridge can also have a substantially circular shape.

Preferably, the engaging portion of the piercing member will have adiameter substantially equal to or slightly larger than that of theoutlet port in order to provide an interference fit between thecartridge outlet port and the piercing member.

This advantageously limits as far as possible the width of the passageavailable for the soluble product and the water used for mixing it,making even more effective the formation of a laminar flow for thebeverage as it flows out of the cartridge. In addition, as theinterference between cartridge outlet port and piercing memberincreases, the operating pressure inside the cartridge increases. Saidpressure increase allows the beverage to emulsify more uniformly,creating a more consistent and attractive cream on the surface.

According to another possible embodiment of the invention, thethrottling arrangement is provided between a supporting element of thecartridge and a wall of the same. The throttling arrangement can thus beprovided by means of a rib protruding from the supporting surface of thesupporting element which abuts against the wall of the cartridgecomprising the outlet port and which surrounds the outlet port.Alternatively the protruding rib can be provided on the cartridge sothat it abuts against the supporting surface of the ring-shaped element.

According to a further possible embodiment of the invention, thethrottling arrangement can be created between the supporting surface ofthe supporting element and the part of the cartridge wall abutting onthe same.

These further embodiments of the throttling arrangement can thus beadopted as an alternative to or in combination with the throttlingarrangement created between the outlet port and the piercing member.

The invention furthermore concerns a cartridge for use in a unit for thepreparation of beverages like the one described here, as well as amethod for preparing beverages in which the beverage coming out of thecartridge is given a laminar flow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention willbecome clearer from the following description, provided as anon-limiting illustration with reference to the attached schematicdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical section view of a unit for the preparation ofbeverages according to a possible embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cartridge for use in a unit for thepreparation of beverages according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section view of a unit for the preparation ofbeverages according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section view of a unit for the preparation ofbeverages according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of a cartridge for use in a unit for thepreparation of beverages like the one shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section view of a unit for the preparation ofbeverages according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a detail of the embodiment of FIG. 6; and

FIGS. 8A and 8B are top plan views of two alternative embodiments of anelement of the unit for the preparation of beverages of FIG. 6.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a possible embodiment of a unit for the preparation ofbeverages according to the present invention.

Unit 1 for the preparation of beverages comprises a collecting device 3provided with a seat designed to contain a disposable cartridge 2. Thelatter can be made, for example, of plastic such as polypropylene foralimentary use able to withstand the operating temperatures of a machinefor the preparation of beverages in which a preparation unit accordingto the present invention is used.

Inside the collecting device 3 is a piercing member 4 comprising aportion 6 which engages with an outlet port of the cartridge 2.

In the embodiment illustrated herein, the piercing member 4 is asubstantially cylindrical-shaped member with circular section whichpierces the bottom of the cartridge 2 in a weakened area defined by abreaking line which is also circular. The breaking line consists of anotch 5 (FIG. 2) which defines a portion 14 of the bottom of thecartridge 2.

The piercing member 4 penetrates the cartridge 2 raising the portion 14of the bottom of the cartridge 2 defined by the notch 5, forming acircular outlet port which matches with the engaging portion 6 of thepiercing member 4.

The piercing member 4, at least in the engaging portion 6, has adiameter substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the diameter ofthe cartridge outlet port, thus creating a throttling arrangement bymeans of interference fit between cartridge 2 and engaging portion 6.This allows the beverage coming out of the cartridge to be given asubstantially laminar flow.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the piercing member 4 is connected tothe internal walls of the collecting device by means of connection fins12, with an upper end 13 protruding from the fins 12 to resist insertionof the cartridge 2 in the collecting device 3 and allow raising of theedge 14 with consequent formation of an outlet port.

In other words, when the cartridge 2 is inserted in the seat of thecollecting device 3, the upper end 13 of the piercing member 4 exerts apressure on the bottom portion of the cartridge 2 defined by thecircular breaking line 5, raising the bottom edge 14 of the cartridge 2and permitting penetration of the piercing member 4 into the cartridge 2until the outlet port defined in the cartridge reaches the engagingportion 6 of the piercing member 4.

The bottom end 15 of the piercing member has a tapered profile whichfacilitates outflow of the solution towards the outlet channel 11 of thecollecting device.

The piercing member 4 can be produced in one single piece with theconnection fins 12 and with the collecting device 3, or alternativelycan be fixed in position by means of known methods.

The end portion 11 of the collecting device 3 is a cylindrical portionwith circular internal section which connects the collecting device 3 tothe beverage delivery channel (not shown).

Once inserted in the collecting device 3, the cartridge 2 is positionedunder a delivery plate (not shown) which during the beverage preparationprocess is lowered onto the cartridge 2, creates a sealed connection andlets pressurised water into the cartridge via its inlet port (notshown).

The pressure of the water let into the cartridge 2, above atmosphericpressure, forces the beverage to flow out of the outlet port at theconnection area with the engaging portion 6 of the piercing member 4,thus generating a laminar flow which provides an excellent qualityproduct.

In fact, as the operating pressure increases inside the cartridge, amore uniform emulsion is obtained and a more consistent attractive foamforms on the surface.

The narrow outlet port also prevents the outflow of larger particles orclots of soluble product not yet dissolved. These particles or clots,due to their size, are fragmented and easily dissolved during theirpassage through the narrow outlet port.

FIGS. 3 to 5 show some alternative embodiments of the mixing unit 1 andcartridge 2 according to the present invention.

The embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 feature in particular asupporting element 16 for the cartridge 2.

The supporting element 16 is a ring-shaped element fitted around thepiercing member 4 which abuts on the connection fins 12 of the piercingmember to support the cartridge 2, limiting deformation of its bottom bythe water pressure.

The ring-shaped supporting element 16 thus offers the possibility ofcreating a throttling arrangement between the supporting surface of thesame and the part of the bottom wall that abuts on it.

This embodiment of the throttling arrangement can be used alternativelyto or in combination with the one created between the engaging portion 6and the outlet port of the cartridge 2. If adopted in combination, theeffect of the pressure gradient produced between the inside of thecartridge and the outside environment can be further increased,consequently obtaining a high quality product and an even betterappearance.

According to another possible embodiment shown in FIG. 3, one or morepassages are provided between the supporting element 16 and thecartridge 2, for example, to prevent possible stagnation of productresiduals.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the passages are provided by means ofa series of grooves 17 arranged radially on the supporting element 16corresponding to its interface with the bottom of the cartridge 2, thusensuring correct evacuation of the beverage from the cartridge even ifresiduals of product have been left.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, the passages can be made by means ofgrooves 18 on the outer surface of the bottom of the cartridge 2,arranged radially around the aperture defined by the notch 5. In thiscase, the ring-shaped supporting element can be advantageously producedwith a smooth interface surface, as for example in the embodiment inFIG. 4, thus permitting the use of cartridges with flat or groovedbottom in the same preparation unit.

According to the characteristics of the different soluble products,cartridges with flat or grooved bottom can be used in the same beveragepreparation unit.

FIGS. 6, 7, 8A and 8B show further embodiments of a unit for preparingbeverages according to the present invention.

The supporting element 16 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 features a protrudingrib 19, made for example with a cusp-shaped profile on which the bottomwall of the cartridge abuts, thus creating a throttling arrangementwhich can be adopted as an alternative to or in combination with the onecreated between the engaging portion 6 and outlet port of the cartridge2.

The rib 19 is arranged around the piercing member 4 in order to restrictthe passage of the beverage as it flows out of the cartridge 2. Thepressure created inside the cartridge 2 during delivery guaranteescontact between the bottom of the cartridge 2 and the rib 19 for theentire duration of the delivery.

A similar embodiment, adopted in combination with the throttlingarrangement between the engaging portion 6 and outlet port of thecartridge 2, achieves laminar flow in both throttling arrangements, thusincreasing the already cited effect determined by the pressure gradientbetween the inside of the cartridge and the outside environment.

As illustrated in FIG. 8A, the rib 19 on the supporting element 16 has asubstantially continuous circular shape and surrounds the piercingmember 4, thus circumscribing the outlet port of the cartridge 2 oncethe latter has been inserted on the piercing member 4.

Alternatively, interruptions 20 can be provided as illustrated forexample in FIG. 8B, which allow limited passage of the beverage out ofthe cartridge. This embodiment can be adopted for example in combinationwith a throttling arrangement already created between outlet port andpiercing member.

Various modifications can be made, all falling within the presentinvention. For example, the rib 19 can be made identically on thecartridge 2 in a position surrounding the outlet port. In this case, thecontact surface of the supporting element 16 can be smooth or can alsobe provided with rib or a seat with shape and dimensions complementaryto those of the rib 19 on the cartridge 2.

Furthermore, the number of ribs present on the supporting element 16and/or on the cartridge 2 can also be varied, likewise otherconfigurations of the rib 19 can be adopted as regards both shapes otherthan the circular one illustrated in the figures (e.g. elliptical orpolygonal) and as regards the section of the rib 19, which can beproduced, for example, with flat or rounded end instead of a cusp-shapedend.

1. A combination of a unit for the preparation of a beverage from a soluble product and a disposable cartridge containing said soluble product, said unit including a collecting device with a seat designed to receive said cartridge, said cartridge including at least one inlet port for a suspension fluid introduced into the cartridge and at least one outlet port for delivery of the beverage including said soluble product and said suspension fluid; and at least a throttling arrangement to give said beverage a laminar flow as it is released from the cartridge, wherein: said at least one throttling arrangement is formed between said unit and said cartridge, said at least one outlet port is defined by at least one breaking line on a bottom wall of said cartridge, said collecting device comprises at least one piercing member designed to pierce said cartridge at said breaking line, said at least one throttling arrangement includes at least one engaging portion of said piercing member that has a shape and dimensions substantially equal to those of said outlet port, and the piercing member has a height that allows an upper end of the piercing member to exert a pressure on the breaking line upon insertion of the cartridge in the seal of the collecting device.
 2. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said engaging portion of said piercing member has a substantially cylindrical shape with circular section and wherein said breaking line in said cartridge has a substantially circular shape.
 3. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said engaging portion of said piercing member has a diameter substantially equal to or slightly larger than that of said outlet port to form an interference fit between the outlet port of said cartridge and said piercing member.
 4. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said collecting device comprises means for supporting said cartridge fitted in said seat.
 5. A combination according to claim 4, wherein said supporting means comprise a supporting element provided with a surface designed to support at least part of the bottom wall of said cartridge.
 6. A combination according to claim 5, wherein one or more passages are arranged between said supporting surface of said supporting element and the outer wall of said cartridge comprising said outlet port.
 7. A combination according to claim 6, wherein said supporting element has a ring shape and wherein said passages are formed by a number of grooves arranged radially on the supporting surface of said supporting element.
 8. A combination according to claim 6, wherein said passages are formed by a number of grooves arranged radially at least on the outer surface of the wall of said cartridge comprising said outlet port.
 9. A combination according to claim 1, comprising at least one supporting element provided with a surface designed to support at least part of the wall of said cartridge which includes said outlet port, wherein said at least one throttling arrangement includes at least one rib protruding from the supporting surface of said supporting element and designed to abut against the wall of said cartridge comprising said outlet port and surround said outlet port.
 10. A combination according to claim 1, comprising at least one supporting element provided with a surface designed to support at least part of the wall of said cartridge which includes said outlet port, wherein said at least one throttling arrangement includes at least one protruding rib which surrounds said outlet port in said cartridge, said rib being designed to abut against the supporting surface off said supporting element.
 11. A combination according to claim 9, wherein said at least one protruding rib is continuous.
 12. A combination according to claim 9, wherein said at least one protruding rib comprises one or more interruptions.
 13. A combination according to claim 1, comprising at least one supporting element, provided with a surface designed to support at least part of the wall of said cartridge which includes said outlet port, wherein said at least one throttling arrangement includes the supporting surface of said supporting element and at least part of the wall of said cartridge comprising said outlet port.
 14. A method for the preparation of a beverage from a soluble product contained in a disposable cartridge, the method comprising: fitting said cartridge in a preparation unit having a seat for said cartridge and a collecting device for said beverage, conveying a suspension fluid into said cartridge via an inlet port, delivering a beverage including said soluble product and said suspension fluid via an outlet port of said cartridge, throttling the beverage to give said beverage a laminar flow as it is released from the cartridge, creating said throttling by interaction between said unit and said cartridge, providing said outlet port with at least one breaking line on a wall of said cartridge, providing said collecting device with at least one piercing member designed to pierce said cartridge at said breaking line, and dimensioning the piercing member to have a height sufficient to exert pressure on the breaking line upon insertion of the cartridge in the seat of the collecting device.
 15. A method according to claim 14, wherein said outlet port has a shape and dimensions substantially equal to those of said engaging portion.
 16. A method according to claim 14, wherein said throttling is created between at least one rib protruding from the supporting surface of a supporting element of the cartridge present in said collecting device and the outer bottom wall of said cartridge, said at least one rib being designed to abut against the outer bottom wall comprising said outlet port of said cartridge and to surround said outlet port.
 17. A method according to claim 14, wherein said throttling is created between at least one protruding rib which surrounds said outlet port in said cartridge and the supporting surface of a supporting element of said cartridge, said rib being designed to abut against the supporting surface of said supporting element present in said collecting device.
 18. A method according to claim 14, wherein said throttling is created between the supporting surface of a supporting element of said cartridge present in said collecting device and at least part of the outer bottom wall of said cartridge comprising said outlet port. 